Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth steps down after three years at the helm

Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth has resigned after three years at the helm.

Richard, who leaves the business on Friday, August 29, has worked for the Mercury for the past 14 years, having joined as news editor in 2000.

He has led the newspaper through a time of great change, including a major development of its digital service and huge increase in its web audience.

He will be succeeded by Kevin Booth, the current editor of the Burton Daily Mail.

Richard said: “I have loved every minute of my time on the Mercury and feel immensely proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to edit such a great title and serve such a great city as Leicester.

“It’s been a tough decision to leave a job which I’ve enjoyed so much, but I believe that this is the right time for me to move on and seek a new challenge.

“The team in Leicester is outstanding and I would like to thank them all for their loyalty, support and commitment to the paper.”

Kevin has edited regional dailies since September, 2000, when he took the reins of the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

Three years later, he was appointed editor of the York Evening Press where in 2004 he led the switch from broadsheet to compact. In 2007, his paper won a clutch of industry awards after its campaign on child abduction brought about a change in the law.

He has also worked on the Derby Telegraph, Stoke Sentinel, Bristol Post and Birmingham Mail.

More recently, he has been at the helm of the Burton Mail which, in last year’s ABCs, was the best performing title in England.

Kevin said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to edit the Leicester Mercury.

“The last five years in Burton have been extremely rewarding, with the paper continually punching above its weight both in terms of its newspaper sales performance and its campaigning stance.

“Our success in last year’s ABCs was down to the hard work and commitment of a small, but dedicated team and the fact the sales trend has continued this year is clear evidence it was no fluke.

“However, the chance to edit the Mercury is one I can’t resist. I am genuinely excited by the prospect of working with its staff to grow its online and print audience and further enhance its role in the wider community.”

Kevin will start his new role on 8th September 2014.

David Simms, publisher and managing director at the Leicester Mercury, said: “Under Richard’s editorship the Mercury has been a vibrant and influential part of Leicester life.

“He has been a passionate ambassador for our business – he’s been a positive influence across the region, and proud of the newspapers/web sites he’s worked on.

Maybe ,before he clears his desk, he can answer a simple question on behalf of LM or himself ?Why is the article on Barbara Potter ,on these pages not allowed to be commented on ?Simples eh ?Anything "owt for a vote"dear pete or palmer or kitterrick or the rest of the Muppets is allowed .Or is the LM just a puppet still ?

Maybe the days of "owt for a vote" dear pete having ever loving plaudits , from the once great LM , will now reflect what is real in this City and County. MMMM......me thinks........has dear pete said who will be editor !

It's not great on a laptop either, llamalamb.
As for the LM's approach to journalism, it's been pathetic for years - nobody questions a thing. Mind you, that's no worse than those who take the approach that everything done by the City/County Council is always wrong.

The digital service could do with a revamp. It might work on your PC but trying to read it on an iPad is a nightmare. Advertising banners appear from nowhere and the screen keeps resizing. The code behind the website needs to be brought up to date.

Did he fall or was he pushed? Looking at the sales figures I would suggest the latter. Maybe the new man will change tack from sycophancy towards Peter Soulsby and get the LM asking some proper questions